Mali's army and its Russian allies suffered a major setback and significant losses on Saturday while fighting separatists in the country's north, a spokesman for the rebels told AFP. "The Malian army has retreated," a local politician told AFP, citing at least 17 dead in a provisional toll. The army and Wagner are no longer there," he said, referring to the Russian mercenary group. Mossa Ag Inzoma, a member of the separatist movement, claimed that "dozens and dozens" of Wagner fighters and soldiers had been killed and taken prisoner. A junta led by Colonel Assimi Goita took power in 2022 and broke the country's traditional alliance with France, in favor of Russia.
